A drink driving conviction can be difficult to live with, particularly when you are unsure how long it will follow you. Many people worry about employment, insurance, travel, and whether the conviction will ever disappear.
Understanding how long a drink driving offence stays on your record can help you plan your next steps with more confidence.
What does “your record” actually mean?
When people talk about a conviction staying on their record, they usually mean two different things.
One is your driving record, which is held by the DVLA. The other is your criminal record, which is held on the Police National Computer and disclosed through background checks. A drink driving conviction affects both, but for different lengths of time.
How long does a drink driving conviction stay on your driving record?
In the UK, a drink driving conviction remains on your DVLA driving record for 11 years from the date of conviction. During this time, it can be seen by insurers and may significantly affect your ability to obtain affordable motor insurance.
Even after you have completed your driving ban and returned to the road, insurers are likely to ask about drink driving convictions for several years, and premiums can remain high throughout this 11-year period.
How long does a drink driving conviction stay on your criminal record?
A drink driving conviction becomes spent after five years for adults under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Once spent, you generally do not need to declare it to employers, unless the role requires a higher level of disclosure.
However, the conviction does not disappear entirely. It will still exist on police systems and may be disclosed on enhanced DBS checks, which are required for certain professions, such as those involving vulnerable people or positions of trust.
Will I need to declare a drink driving conviction to employers?
This depends on whether the conviction is spent and the type of role you are applying for. For most standard jobs, once the conviction is spent, you can legally answer “no” if asked about unspent convictions.
If a role requires a standard or enhanced DBS check, the conviction may still appear, even after it is spent. In these cases, how the conviction is presented and explained can be just as important as the conviction itself.
Can a drink driving conviction ever be removed?
A drink driving conviction cannot be removed from your record simply with the passage of time. However, early legal advice can sometimes result in charges being reduced or dismissed, which can make a significant long-term difference.
If you have already been convicted, a specialist drink driving solicitor can advise on licence restoration, rehabilitation courses, and how to minimise the ongoing impact on your work and personal life.
Why legal advice matters early on
The long-term consequences of a drink driving conviction are often underestimated. What happens in the early stages of a case can affect your driving record, criminal record, and future opportunities for many years.
If you are facing a drink driving charge, speaking to a specialist solicitor as early as possible can help you understand your options and protect your future.